February 2015 Posts

Red Mountain – “Home” (Live at Twin Ports Bridge Festival)

Red Mountain performs “Home” at last summer’s Twin Port Bridge Festival, captured here as part of an epic 12-camera shoot by WDSE-TV‘s The PlayList for an episode that aired earlier this month. Upcoming gig: Red Mountain performs March 21 at Papa Charlie’s during the DuLutsen North of North Music & Ski Festival.

Big Wave Dave and the Ripples – “Real Thing”

New Big Wave Dave and the Ripples video by David Cowardin of Lola Visuals and Duluth Outdoors. Upcoming Big Wave gig: Art for Ed’s Sake on March 20.

Green update for Duluth water infrastructure?

Duluth definitely has some gravity-fed municipal water lines running down the hill. Perhaps as we repair/replace our aging water lines we could make upgrades that will generate electricity.

Portland now generates electricity from turbines installed in city water pipes

Economic effect of the arts in Minnesota is big

DSC05985 2A couple weeks ago Creative Minnesota went on a road show to promote the findings of a major study. The data showed the arts have been having a major economic effect in Minnesota. The Arrowhead is the second-most vibrant region, though it is only the fourth largest in population. Here’s more information on what was presented.

They sprayed the state of Wisconsin with fire hoses of blood

The latest movie project up for crowdfunding includes a scene at the Anchor Bar in Superior.

House Harker: A bloody, action-comedy in a horror film shell

What happened to Dubrue?

Dubrue Beer DuluthI remember drinking Dubrue at local restaurants and bars around 2011-2012. I also vaguely remember a story of a fire in the building the brewery was located in. Since then, I haven’t seen the brew anywhere. I did some internet searching but I haven’t come up with much. Is Dubrue around anymore?

Vikre Distillery lands #4 spot in Details magazine taste test

Gin Renaissance

The March issue of Details magazine ranks American-made gins in an article titled “The American Gin Renaissance.” Duluth’s Vikre Distillery took fourth place for its Boreal Cedar Gin.

4. Vikre Distillery Boreal Cedar Gin
Duluth, Minnesota
The Gin: Smoky, thanks to red cedar.
Fun Fact: “I developed the Cedar specifically to make my perfect Negroni,” says cofounder Emily Vikre.
The Appeal: For fermentation and proofing, Vikre uses purified Lake Superior water, which is soft and devoid of (taste-altering) minerals. $30

There’s an online version of the article with the more click-baitish title, “10 American-made gins that are too damn good to pass up.”

Another recent honor: Vikre’s Ovrevann Aquavit won a bronze medal in the DSS category at the American Craft Spirits Association’s Distillers Convention & Vender Trade Show in mid-February. (Through exhaustive research — you know, like ten minutes worth — PDD is now able to update this report to clarify that DSS stands for Distilled Spirits, Specialty.)

Inside a Duluth trolley car — Aug. 2, 1922

Duluth Trolley 2-Aug-1922

Mary Bue – “Cheribum” (Live on The PlayList)

Mary Bue performs “Cheribum” with members of American Rebels on WDSE-TV‘s The PlayList. The song is from her upcoming album Holy Bones, to be released March 6 with a party and performance at R.T. Quinlan’s Saloon.

Break Shots

Video by James Holak.

This Week: flyin’, tyin’ flies, tryin’ cases and more

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Here’s a bit of what you’ll find on this week’s PDD Calendar:

A two-artist exhibit opens at the Zeitgeist Arts Cafe, The Vagina Monologues is at UMD, hip-hop violinists are at St. Scholastica, the nerds are back in action at Teatro Zuccone and the Rose Ensemble is at Sacred Heart.

Learn about the art of local food at the Depot, catch Bill Staines at Amazing Grace and see a Trial by Jury at The Underground.

Add to this some rock and roll, the latest by the Minnesota Ballet and even a flytying workshop, and it’s a mighty full week.

Photos from Duluth Polar Plunge 2015

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Great costumes, great turnout of willing idiots to jump into a hole in the lake for a cause. Just awesome, everyone!

Crazy Pine Siskins

We have a gazillion pine siskins at our bird feeders right now. The feeders have to be filled twice a day to keep up with these ravenous little guys. Does anyone know what the story is? We have had siskins before but never so many at one time. Undoubtedly our seeds are tasty, but …

Slowing Down

Friday night, I celebrated my friend Scott’s birthday. When I asked him how old he was, he only said that he was 39 again. I know that feeling.

Bobcat in the Snare

From my friends at Wildwoods, with a warning that some images are graphic:
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